Nautical Surveying: Introductory Survey and Safety Practices - Assignment Example

Initial survey checklist for a new product tanker Chapter 1: Introduction This paper outlines the various procedures that are carried in the initial survey to find out whether the vessel is safe enough to undertake interstate of overseas travels. The survey helps in conducting an overall inspection of the vessel, together with various tests of the equipments and machinery. Some of the survey procedure includes finding out about the construction quality, the proper installation of machinery, presence of lifesaving equipments and other such safety needs in a vessel. This survey also provides approval based on the construction designs, installation of the machinery, vessel stability etc. In this study, the researcher is being asked to prepare a thorough survey checklist and apply them in the construction of the new 37000mt dwt product tanker with the following particulars: Draft-11.5m LOA-180m beam-26m tanker-14 (12+2 slops) GRT-20300 NRT-10150 double hull construction It has been seen that in today's world, sea route has been used considerably to transport hazardous materials which might risk not only the ship, but also its crew and the environment. For instance, in the case of product tankers, a tanker of an inferior quality might result into oil spills and endanger the environment. Further, as oil is highly inflammable, even an accidental spark can claim the lives of the crew and cause heavy damages to the ship. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an initial survey of the vessel before it is commissioned to service. Further, the company should follow up this initial survey with annual surveys that would ensure that the vessel is able to maintain high standards with regards to safety and regulations (Branch 2007). However, even before preparing a survey checklist, it is important to understand the premises of initial survey rules and regulations and the significance of implementing these regulations in the shipbuilding industry. Therefore, the paper would provide a comprehensive outlook of the various initial survey procedures. It would also provide an overview of how to apply for initial survey, what are the formats the company can use to send in its proposal and plan design and what are the requisite documents needed to apply for an initial survey. Further, this research would focus on providing guidelines for preparing a general plan design, hull design, machinery diagrams and the drawing scale. The paper would then discuss about the various components that would be inspected during the initial survey. Some of these areas would include the load line, structure and stability, safety and navigation equipment, fire fighting equipments and radio equipments. The paper would also provide a detailed checklist of survey requirements, especially focusing on the load line and safety equipments, two major components for receiving an initial survey certification. Chapter 2: Initial survey As per the requirement of the regulation 5 of Annex VI, initial survey needs to be carried out before a product tanker is commissioned for the first time. This survey includes overall inspection of the vessel, together with various tests of the equipments and machinery. This helps in ensuring that the vessel has complied with the certification requirements and that the equipments and machinery are in proper condition to be used in the ship. This type of survey is undertaken at the time of the construction of the ship or at the time when the ship is to be inspected for the first time ever. The successful inspection of the ship would result into the issuance of the Certificate of Survey or Inspection. The initial survey of a vessel ensures that the new vessel abides by regulations such as the Regulations 1994 of the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code, the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 and other such standard regulations. These regulations measure the construction quality, the proper installation of machinery, presence of lifesaving equipments and other such safety needs in a vessel. This survey provides approval based on the construction designs, installation of the machinery, vessel stability etc (Branch 2007). After the completion of the survey, the vessel is given a Certificate of Survey or Inspection. Thereafter, the vessel is permitted to start operating on a commercial basis for the period of time mentioned in the certificate. Most of these certificates are usually valid for 24 months for commercial vessels (Grewal & Beresford 1995). The steps taken while conducting initial survey consist of: Examining the diagrams, plan designs, statistics and calculations, and other such technical documents to find out whether the equipments and machineries installed in the vessel abide by the regulations stated by IAPP. Inspecting the equipments and machineries to find out whether the materials used for the construction of the vessel are appropriate and are as specified in the plan designs, diagrams and other statistics provided by the shipping company. The installation of the machineries and equipments should also be satisfactory. Checking of the certifications, manuals, record books and other such documents and guidelines that are specified as requirements to receive the initial survey certification. 2.1: Applying for initial survey In order to get the initial survey conducted on the vessel, an application to conduct the survey should be given to the Department for Transport, Energy Infrastructure (DTEI). The company should also submit the fees and the plan design of the vessel with the application form. The fee charged by the DTEI only covers the services provided by the department to conduct this survey. It does not cover the consultants’ costs who would conduct the tests on the materials or examine the stability of the vessel. The application form should also contain the plan designs and diagrams of the vessel along with all the particulars of the vessel, description of any special conditions and details of any exemptions that the company might be seeking (Grewal & Beresford 1995). 2.3: Prior to construction of the vessel Even before asking for an initial survey, the company should send in the specifications of the vessel prior to the construction of the ship. The entire plan design should be sent to the appropriate department along with the initial survey form, the fees for the initial survey and the fees for getting plan approval. Some of the approved formats that the company can use to send in the plan designs are electronic format that can be sent through emails, DXF format, PFD format and Auto CAD format. The company can also send in the plan design using paper format and posting it to the appropriate department. The department usually asks for added information depending upon the class and size of the ship (Survey of machinery installations 2004). However, generally, the department requires the below mentioned plans for the initial stages: General plan design This shows the general design of the vessel including the scale to which the vessel has been designed, the general locations of the engines, ventilators, hatches, tanks etc. Further, the positions of the deck, rigs and other openings are also drawn in the general plan design. This design documents the accommodation area, seating area, berths, lights and sail plan. Such a document provides a general framework about the vessel (Hull and structural surveys 2004). Hull design This design outlines the dimensions as well as the materials used to construct the hull. It also documents the bulkheads, decks, bottom structure, frames, engine beds, stiffeners, girders, keel, rudders etc of the hull with details about dimensions, scale and material. The details regarding the welding technique used, fastenings in the vessel and the mesh reinforcement used in the vessel are also given. Further, the techniques to protect the structure from fire should also be given in the hull design (Hull and structural surveys 2004). Machinery diagrams The overall diagrams showing the shaft line, coupling bolts, bearings and glands of the machinery are included in this kind of diagrams. The kilowatt power of the engine, vessel speed, the diameter of the propeller, the gearbox and the details of the rudder are also given in this diagram. The diagram also shows the bilge pumping system, the electrical arrangements, the fire system and the deck wash services. It also includes the details about refrigeration system, the installation of LPG etc. The installation of fixed fire extinguishing station is also projected in this diagram (Survey of machinery installations 2004). Drawing scale All these drawings should be submitted maintaining the scale between 1:1 and 1:50. These drawings should use metric units. Although, companies may use imperial units as well, such units would require additional fees (Survey of machinery installations 2004). Chapter 4: Load Line The vessel is required to comply with the International Convention on Load Lines 1966 which ensures that the ship showcases watertight integrity, has considerable hull strength at the time of full load and has adequate stability for enduring the full period of service. Any vessel intending to undertake interstate or overseas journeys are required to comply with this Convention (Pamborides 1992). The Load Line Certificate is given to the vessel once the survey satisfactorily completes the initial survey on the vessel before it is commissioned to service. This certificate is given for the period of 5 years and the company is required to undertake annual surveys to prove that the design of the ship has not changed and is working in a satisfactory condition. The certification also includes compliance to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 (SOLAS). SOLAS ensures that the vessel maintains high standards of machineries, fire prevention equipments, electrical systems, fire extinguishing system and cargo storage space. Compliance of SOLAS is often mandatory in many countries. Further, the vessel needs to get the Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate, which also proves that the vessel complies with the SOLAS requirements as well. This certificate is given once the initial survey is completed and is valid for a period of 5 years. This also requires annual surveys to ensure that the vessel has been able to maintain the standards set up by SOLAS. SOLAS guidelines also require product tankers to comply with the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk or IBC Code. This code is applied especially to the tankers that are constructed after July 1986. The code is being used to come out with various international regulations that would ensure the safe carrying of dangerous chemicals in bulk through the sea route. The code prescribes the design standard, the equipments to be used and technique to construct such vessels. This helps in reducing the risk to not only the ship but also to the crew members and the environment (Pamborides 1992). Given below is a table detailing the survey requirements to check load line. Requirements Survey component Requirement origin To find out that the load line and deck line marks are positioned in a proper manner Load line & Deck line positioning LLC 66/88 regs.4 to 9 To witness the lightweight survey or the inclining experiment Inclining experiment LLC 66/88/03 reg.10 To examine the bulkheads, superstructure and other openings concerning the superstructure Bulkheads, superstructure LLC 66/88 regs.11 and 12 To examine the methods through which the vessel is secured against the weather, especially focusing on safeguarding the cargo by studying the hatches and other such openings present on the decks of superstructure and the freeboard Superstructure & freeboard decks – checking the methods of safeguarding them against the weather LLC 66/88 regs. 13 to 18 To examine the air pipes, ventilators and other such appliances Air pipes & ventilators LLC 66/88 regs.19 and 20 To examine whether the vessel maintains watertight integrity, especially at closures and openings below the deck of the freeboard Closures at the deck of the freeboard LLC 66/88 reg.21 To check the appliances and fittings of the cargoes in the timber deck Stability of the vessel LLC 66/88 regs.42 to 45 To check whether information regarding the ballasting and loading has been provided to the master Manual detailing about stability and loading LLC 66/88 reg.10 Chapter 5: Stability approval Vessels, whether they are passenger, cargo or even fishing, require stability approval as well. However, some categories of vessels are exempt from taking stability approval and the companies should contact DTEI for further details. However, mostly it has been seen that stability approval is given after conduction inclining experiments. Companies should take help of a Naval Architect Consultant in order to conduct the inclining experiment and prepare the plans for the vessel. This plan based on the stability information should be submitted to the required department for conducting the initial survey. However, while conducting the inclining experiment, the company must ensure that a surveyor from the department is present during the process (Button & Hensher 2005). The stability elements of the vessel consist of the damage stability and the intact stability components of the vessel. During the assessment of the construction, the scantling of the vessel is also considered. Scantling is a central element in establishing the stability of the vessel. The officials carry the stability assessment at the time of the initial survey process. Often such an assessment is also carried out when the vessel undergoes repair or modification. Approval for stability is granted by the Commercial Operations Branch. Stability approval is also being given on the basis of prior approvals. Vessels that do not require initial surveys are not assessed for stability (Button & Hensher 2005). Chapter 6: Safety and navigation equipments The major components of safety and navigation equipments in a product tanker are life saving appliances, fire fighting equipments and radio equipments. Depending on the class, size and area of operation of the vessel, the company would need to fit in the amount, type and size of equipments. In order to find out the required amount of safety equipments, the company would need to contact the Commercial Marine Services, DTEI. During the initial survey process, the officials assess the type and amount of safety equipments required on board of a ship. The condition of such equipments is however monitored during the annual and regular surveys (Noury et al 2002). 6.1: Life saving appliances Except for ships registered in the UK that has a weight of 500 tons and more, all other ships that undertake international journeys have to carry safety equipment certificate that is valid for 2 years. However, such a certificate can only be issued after the officials inspect all the safety equipments which include life saving appliances as well. Further, the company has to ensure that annual survey of the life saving equipments is also carried out to find out whether the quality of these equipments is maintained properly. This is being mandated by the Merchant Shipping Regulations. Further, in case the vessel is more than ten years in service, then such surveys should be carried out on an intermediate basis rather than annual surveys (Survey of machinery installations 2004). Some of the prerequisites for checking life saving appliances include number of lifejackets, number of liferafts and installation of offshore equipments. Number of lifejackets: The company needs to provide the exact number of lifejackets present in the vessel together with provisions for people with weight less than 32 kilograms. Further, separate details should be given about lifejackets for people over 32 kilograms. Also provide descriptions about the types of lifejackets that the vessel would carry. The surveyor at the time of the survey would record these numbers of lifejackets separately as per the weight and compare it with the possible number of person the vessel would carry. The surveyor would also note the storage area for these lifejackets. The company should also make provisions for child lifejackets, as it is also an important requisite for getting security certification. The surveyor in his declaration provides the exact number of life jackets for adults present on board and this should collaborate with the figures given by the company in its declaration. Number of life-rafts: The shipping company is required to provide the exact coverage detail of the life rafts on the vessel and provide separate details on the accommodation figures of the life rafts and other such descriptions. This should be carefully filled by the company while giving the declaration as the surveyor would compare the figures with the actual survey results. Offshore equipments: The vessel should also set up the mobile offshore installations. This should be done to abide by the Offshore Installations Regulations 1995. In case of fire, collision or any other kinds of emergencies, this installation would help the vessel to send signals to the shore and receive timely help. Life saving appliances is also required to be fixed with retro-reflective material. This material helps in detecting the vessel in case of any emergency. The shipping company should follow the guidelines and regulations properly while fitting in the retro-reflective materials in a new vessel or even in an old vessel undergoing repair (Survey of machinery installations 2004). 6.2: Fire fighting equipments It has been found that fire involving shipping vessels are reported considerably every year. Most of these incidents occur due to over heating of the machinery and equipments, electrical wiring problems and non-checking of internal wirings and pipes. These may cause huge explosions and the fire might even destroy the ship and put considerable risk to the life of the crew. Such fires also cause damage to the environment. Therefore, ships are required to be fitted with advanced fire fighting technologies and equipments. It has also been seen that most of these fires could have been prevented in case proper measures were taken. The crew members should have undergone fire drills and proper training to handle fire fighting equipments. Further, it is important for every crew member to study the structure of the ship and protect it in case of emergencies by identifying the hazardous areas. Therefore, it can be said that most marine fires are caused because of human negligence (Alelsto 2009). Therefore, in the initial survey as well, fire fighting equipments are given special mention and are checked thoroughly by the surveyors. The initial survey requires the fire fighting equipments and lifesaving appliances to meet and perform as per the high standards set by SOLAS. Further, the conditions of these equipments are solely determined by the discretion of the surveyor and unless the surveyor is satisfied with the quality of the equipments, he will not give clean chit to the company. Therefore, it is important for the company to maintain high standards of fire fighting equipments and should not cause any laxity in changing any equipment that might not pass the tests of the surveyor. The company should also look after maintaining these equipments on a regular basis and replace any such equipment that might not be working properly (Perrow 1999). 6.3: Radio equipments The initial survey of radio equipments would be conducted by a radio technician. The radio technician should be given at least two weeks of prior notice to conduct the survey. The company can find the relevant details of the technician from the Commercial Marine Services office. In order to procure a compass, the company should apply to a Compass Adjuster who has proper license to sell such instruments (Branch 2007). Given below is a table detailing the survey requirements to check safety equipments. Requirements Survey component Requirement origin To examine the fire hydrants, fire pumps, nozzles and hoses. To check the connection with international shores. Further, to check whether the fire pumps can be separately operated. This would enable in producing water jets at the same time from various hydrants in the vessel although the water pressure is being maintained through the fire main. Fire hydrants Fire nozzles and hoses Fire pumps & main SOLAS 74/00 reg.II- 2/10.2 FSSC chs.2 and 12; SOLAS 74/88 regs.II-2/4 and 19 To examine whether the fire extinguishers are provided on the vessel Fire extinguisher SOLAS 74/00 reg.II- 2/10.3 FSSC ch.4; SOLAS 74/88 reg.II- 2/17 To find out whether the outfit of the fire fighters work properly. Also, to examine the emergency escape breathing devices Outfits of the fire fighters SOLAS 74/00 regs.II-2/10.10, 13.3.4 and 13.4.3 FSSC ch.3; SOLAS 74/88 reg.II-2/17) To check whether the fire fighting system is operational and ready to tackle fire emergencies Maintaining of fire fighting appliances SOLAS 74/00 reg.II- 2/14; SOLAS 74/88 reg.II-2/21 To find out whether the fixed fire fighting appliances fitted to protect the cargo, machineries etc are working in proper condition. Also, to examine about the installation tests Fixed fire fighting systems SOLAS 74/00 regs.II-2/10.4, 10.5, 10.7 and 20.6.1, FSSC chs.5 to 7; SOLAS 74/88 regs.II-2/7 and 53 To examine about the alarm and fire detection system. Also to check the automatic sprinkler. Find out whether they are installed and working properly or not Fire alarm & detection system Automatic systems SOLAS 74/00 regs.II-2/7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5.1, 7.5.5, 19.3.3 and 20.4; FSSC ch.9; SOLAS 74/88 regs.II-2/11, 13, 14, 53 and 54 To find out whether special arrangements have been made to carry dangerous cargo. To check the wiring and electrical appliances. To find out whether proper ventilation has been provided or not. To test supply of water, bilge pumping system etc Dangerous cargo arrangements Supply of water Ventilation Bilge pumping system SOLAS 74/00 reg.II- 2/19, FSSC chs.9 and 10; SOLAS 74/88 reg.II- 2/54 To check whether survival rafts are provided or not. Further, whether these rafts are in working condition or not. Also, check the evacuation system Survival ragts SOLAS 74/88 regs.III/11 to 16 and 31; LSAC section 6.2 To find out whether proper signs and posters are provided to confirm about the storage area of the life saving appliances such as life jackets and rafts Signs or posters SOLAS 74/88 regs.III/9 and 20 References: “Hull and structural surveys”. International Maritime Organization. IMO Publishing, 2004 “Survey of machinery installations: compendium.” International Maritime Organization. IMO Publishing, 2004 Alelsto, Jo "The Importance of Fire Fighting Equipment and Fire Protection." The Importance of Fire Fighting Equipment and Fire Protection. 1 December 2009 EzineArticles.com. 29 Apr. 2010 . Branch, Alan E. “Harmonization of Surveys.” Elements of shipping. 8th Edition. 2007. Button, Kenneth John & Hensher, David A. Handbook of transport strategy, policy and institutions. Elsevier, 2005. Grewal, D. S. & Beresford, A. K. C. ISO 9000 in shipping and transport: an initial survey. Department of Maritime Studies and International Transport, University of Wales College of Cardiff, 1995. Noury, P., Hayman, B., McGeorge, D. & Weitzenböck, J. Lightweight construction for advanced shipbuilding – recent development. In: Proceedings of the 37th WEGEMT Summer School, November 11-15, 2002: 11. Pamborides, G. P. International shipping law: legislation and enforcement. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 1992. Perrow, Charles.Normal accidents: living with high-risk technologies. Princeton University Press, 1999: 189. SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). 1974. London: 1 November 1974. Published in United Nations Treaty Series1184: 2. Read More

This type of survey is undertaken at the time of the construction of the ship or at the time when the ship is to be inspected for the first time ever. The successful inspection of the ship would result into the issuance of the Certificate of Survey or Inspection. The initial survey of a vessel ensures that the new vessel abides by regulations such as the Regulations 1994 of the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code, the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993 and other such standard regulations. These regulations measure the construction quality, the proper installation of machinery, presence of lifesaving equipments and other such safety needs in a vessel.

This survey provides approval based on the construction designs, installation of the machinery, vessel stability etc (Branch 2007). After the completion of the survey, the vessel is given a Certificate of Survey or Inspection. Thereafter, the vessel is permitted to start operating on a commercial basis for the period of time mentioned in the certificate. Most of these certificates are usually valid for 24 months for commercial vessels (Grewal & Beresford 1995). The steps taken while conducting initial survey consist of: Examining the diagrams, plan designs, statistics and calculations, and other such technical documents to find out whether the equipments and machineries installed in the vessel abide by the regulations stated by IAPP.

Inspecting the equipments and machineries to find out whether the materials used for the construction of the vessel are appropriate and are as specified in the plan designs, diagrams and other statistics provided by the shipping company. The installation of the machineries and equipments should also be satisfactory. Checking of the certifications, manuals, record books and other such documents and guidelines that are specified as requirements to receive the initial survey certification. 2.

1: Applying for initial survey In order to get the initial survey conducted on the vessel, an application to conduct the survey should be given to the Department for Transport, Energy Infrastructure (DTEI). The company should also submit the fees and the plan design of the vessel with the application form. The fee charged by the DTEI only covers the services provided by the department to conduct this survey. It does not cover the consultants’ costs who would conduct the tests on the materials or examine the stability of the vessel.

The application form should also contain the plan designs and diagrams of the vessel along with all the particulars of the vessel, description of any special conditions and details of any exemptions that the company might be seeking (Grewal & Beresford 1995). 2.3: Prior to construction of the vessel Even before asking for an initial survey, the company should send in the specifications of the vessel prior to the construction of the ship. The entire plan design should be sent to the appropriate department along with the initial survey form, the fees for the initial survey and the fees for getting plan approval.

Some of the approved formats that the company can use to send in the plan designs are electronic format that can be sent through emails, DXF format, PFD format and Auto CAD format. The company can also send in the plan design using paper format and posting it to the appropriate department. The department usually asks for added information depending upon the class and size of the ship (Survey of machinery installations 2004). However, generally, the department requires the below mentioned plans for the initial stages: General plan design This shows the general design of the vessel including the scale to which the vessel has been designed, the general locations of the engines, ventilators, hatches, tanks etc.

Further, the positions of the deck, rigs and other openings are also drawn in the general plan design. This design documents the accommodation area, seating area, berths, lights and sail plan. Such a document provides a general framework about the vessel (Hull and structural surveys 2004).

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